A Tribute to Buster Cooper (1923-2014)

A tribute and fan site celebrating the life of tap dancer Leonard "Buster" Cooper.

Videos of Buster Cooper Dancing
A collection of free online video clips of Buster Cooper dancing and being interviewed.

Facts About Leonard "Buster" Cooper
STAGE NAME: "Buster Cooper"
FULL NAME: Leonard Cooper
DATE OF BIRTH: August 30, 1923
DATE OF DEATH: March 24, 2014 (at age 90)
PLACE OF BIRTH: Magnolia, Arkansas
FIRST TEACHER: Family housekeeper Delma Spears
PLACE OF DEATH: Dallas, Texas
FATHER: Benton Marshall Cooper
MOTHER: Nora Lee Cooper
WIFE: Marianne Prather Jones Cooper (married 54 years, 1959-2013)
DAUGHTERS: Katherine Lee Cooper Leverton | Leslie Anne Cooper
GRANDCHILDREN: Keira Anne Leverton |Rayna Lee Northrup |Jason Albert Leverton
GREAT GRANDCHILDREN: Jamie Northrop |Kathy Anne Northrop | Lilly Northrup
GRAND NEICE: Shawndra Oglesby
GREAT GRAND NEPHEW: Alex Oglesby
GREAT GRAND NIECE:SAVANNAH Oglesby

The Life of Buster Cooper
1942: Stood in for Gene Kelly's Brother Fred at a workshop
1944: Drafted into the U.S. army and performed at service clubs
1952: Moved to Dallas and opened a Fred Astaire brand dancing school
1953-1988: Taught at the Hockaday Private Girl's Academy, Fine Arts Program
1996: Received the President's Wward from Dance Master of America
1997: Received the Lifetime Contribution Award from the Dallas Dance Council
1999: Recieved Lifetime Achievement Award from Dance Educators of America
90th BIRTHDAY PARTY: August 31 at the Fair Park Music Hall
HIS DANCING SCHOOL: Buster Cooper School of Dance (for 52 years)
LAST PLACE HE TAUGHT: Preston Center Dance in Dallas (30+ years)

Buster Cooper's 90th Birthday Bash
DATE: 2013 August 31
TIME: 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
TICKETS: $20 to $35
VENUE: Music Hall at Fair Park
TOWN: Dallas, Texas

Resources

Buster Cooper Dance Videos Web Site
WEB SITE SECTIONS:
- Biography of Buster Cooper
- Photographs of Buster Cooper
- Shop for Buster's Instructional Video DVDso

Dance Council of Texas Announces 2014 Honorees

Senior Voice "Buster Cooper: National Treasure" Article

Dallas Morning News "Buster Cooper Dies at 90" Article

Preston Hollow" RIP Buster Cooper" Article

Dance Council of North Texas Scholarships
- Buster Cooper Tap Scholarship
- Buster Cooper Jazz Scholarship